Nicole Silvestre, President | Nicole is a graduate of UBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, has a Diploma in Human Resources Management from BCIT and holds a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Nicole has 20 years of experience in Human Resources both in the high-tech industry and more recently in the not-for-profit sector. She has worked for companies such as BC Hydro, Activision, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts. Nicole is currently the Director of People and Culture at Take a Hike Foundation, a not-for-profit that engages vulnerable youth in a full-time program of intensive clinical counselling, outdoor adventure, academics, and community. She is passionate about giving back to her community and has volunteered extensively with the HR Tech Group, Camp Fircom Society, YWCA, QMUNITY and the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC. Outside of work and volunteering, Nicole can be found spending time with her nieces and nephews, reading a good book and connecting with nature. Nicole has lived experience in mental health and addiction and is passionate about combatting the stigma surrounding both.
Shawn McNaughton, Past-President | An active participant in promoting mental health initiatives over the past four years, Shawn brings a strong business acumen, extensive experience in finance, sales, marketing and logistics in both the hospitality and consumer-packaged goods world and an ability to motivate his network to support mental health. When not working, he is generally outdoors running or hiking with his wife or spending time at various charity events. Shawn’s sleeves are permanently rolled up, his brain is constantly coming up with new ideas, and his ability to lead and motivate has created numerous personal and professional successes.
Ealeen Wong, Vice-President | Ealeen has been leading strategy for some of the world’s most iconic brands over the past ten years. Her past experiences include international brand management with Proctor and Gamble, corporate operations with Aritzia, and collaborative fundraising with non-profits such as United Way. Currently, Ealeen is the Director of Strategy and Business Development for Expedia Group, where she lives out her passion for travel and adventure. In her free time, she can be found sweating it out on a yoga mat, or exploring the great outdoors with her husband and son.
Jason Lau, Treasurer | Jason has over 10 years of experience in real estate development and construction. Born and raised in Calgary, Jason moved to Vancouver to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After obtaining his degree in 2003, he studied at BCIT, obtained his diploma in Financial Management and set forth his future career in accounting. Jason is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and is excited to bring his finance and business strategy perspectives to benefit CMHA.
Sameera Ismail, Secretary | Running for her first term, Sameera is a director of Titan Law Corporation and is the Chair of the Scholarship Committee at Voices of Muslim Women. Sameera has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a lawyer that focuses her practice on immigration and refugee clients from around the world. She has worked extensively with victims of human trafficking, torture, civil war, systemic discrimination, and other traumatic events. Sameera is passionate about her work and applying her skills to help her clients secure an opportunity for a new life. Through her work, Sameera has learned about the active and immediate impact that mental health can have on a person’s ability to function in everyday life, and to express oneself. Sameera is excited to contribute and learn from the CMHA board. In her free time, she enjoys boxing, running, learning to golf, and exploring Vancouver and all it has to offer.
Alyssa Wiens, Director | Alyssa is a certified financial planner (CFP) and has been working in the field of finance for 11 years, specializing in retirement planning and corporate tax planning. Alyssa has always been committed to giving back and has been involved in various humanitarian efforts throughout the years, including travelling to the Chitwan district of Nepal and completing a big build with Habitat for Humanity. Having had firsthand experience with the impacts that mental health challenges can create, she has developed a keen interest in promoting mental health awareness, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. She is not only passionate about mental health but physical health as well and is an avid runner, having completed several half marathons. Alyssa would love the opportunity to bring her passion, enthusiasm, and collaboration to the CMHA board, to assist in the journey of helping people lead mentally healthy lives.
Christina Labarca, Director | Running for her first term, Christina is passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health and believes in taking a proactive approach to mental wellness. Christina holds a BA in Adult Education and a Masters of Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University. In her twenties, Christina spent 7 years travelling through 70 countries and discovered that she had won the “life lottery”, simply by being born in Canada. As a result, she has always looked for ways to give back and over the years has fundraised, volunteered and supported numerous local and international charity organizations. Christina is the co-founder of a consulting firm, Giving Well, where she works with individuals and organizations to research, evaluate and select charities that align with their goals and values. She believes in the importance of finding purpose in both personal life, and in business.
Leona Shaw, Director | Leona is passionate about fighting to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and addictions and advocating for mental health awareness. She is also passionate about the environment and has been working with Indigenous communities throughout Canada for the past 15 years, currently as the Senior Director of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection for a Provincial Indigenous Nation. She has a B.Sc. in Biology and a Masters in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (MNRES). Leona brings an experienced background in research and policy development as well as relationship building amongst diverse stakeholders. When not working, you will find her outside in nature playing on stunning trails in the local mountains and forests. She is always looking for new landscapes to explore, photograph and share with others.
Nick Neacsu, Director |Nick is a licensed Realtor in British Columbia. For the last 11 years he has worked in Vancouver. Nick has a Bachelors of Science in Marketing from Hawaii Pacific University. He mentors a lot of young agents in the industry, hosts a podcast, and is also involved in volunteering for different organizations throughout the year.
Nick struggled with severe anxiety attacked from the age of 9 to nearly 20 years old. Nick’s brother also suffers with severe PTSD from his tour in Afghanistan with the Canadian Army. Nick feels his mental illness as a child and young adult shaped who he is today in a very positive way. Nick’s involvement with the CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Board of Directors gives him an opportunity to further support an organization that truly helps people with mental illness understand and manage their battle with this stigmatized illness. With his background in business and his personal experience with mental illness, Nick feels he can offer another perspective sounding board that adds value to this incredible organization.
Stanley Chiu, Director | Stanley is a director of Titan Law Corporation and of the Dunbar Community Centre Association. As a lawyer, Stanley represents various local and international companies. He has conducted matters before the Provincial Court of British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia, in addition to various administrative tribunals. Stanley dedicates a substantial portion of his legal practice to assisting vulnerable persons and has assisted refugees from over twenty different countries, many of whom suffer from mental health challenges and require special accommodations to participate in legal proceedings. Stanley enjoys spending his spare time walking his dog on the field at his alma mater, St. George’s School, or with his family in the outdoors around Vancouver, BC.